As Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops 1912 Long Term Service Release (LTSR) approaches its end of life (EOL) on December 18, 2024, organisations should be well underway in their transition to the new 2402 LTSR.
This upgrade introduces significant enhancements, including support for Microsoft Teams 2.1, Windows Server 2022 and Windows 11, Windows Server 2025 (when released) ensuring organisations stay secure and efficient.
Understanding the End of Life (EOL) for 1912 LTSR
When a version reaches EOL, Citrix ceases to provide support, updates and security patches. Continuing to use 1912 LTSR after December 18, 2024 means exposing your infrastructure to security vulnerabilities, potential compatibility issues with newer technologies and a lack of technical support.
From an operations perspective, staying on 1912 LTSR means if you need to lodge a call with Citrix due to an issue in the environment you will not have any support from them (unless you pay for the extension). This will cause significant impact to your organisation – especially when the EOL date is the week everyone breaks for Christmas.
Why upgrade to Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops 2402 LTSR?
Citrix has announced the release of LTSR 2402, the next Long Term Service Release for Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops. This new version brings several significant improvements and features:
1. Enhanced collaboration with Microsoft Teams 2.1: The 2402 LTSR includes optimised support for Microsoft Teams 2.1, delivering improved video and audio performance for remote collaboration. This ensures seamless virtual meetings and boosts overall productivity. For organisations running Teams via Citrix – this is a must have as functionality is being deprecated for Teams on older versions.
2. Compatibility with Windows 11 / Server 2022 and Server 2025: Staying current with server platforms is crucial. The 2402 LTSR supports Windows 11, Windows Server 2022, and the soon to be released Windows Server 2025, offering enhanced security, performance and scalability, helping your business stay ahead in a competitive environment.
Customers running Windows Server 2016/2019 will be looking for the next release cycle of OS, keeping Citrix current allows for supportability to pivot to Windows 11 / Server 2022 | 2025
3. Enhanced security features: Expect improvements in security and compliance capabilities, including advanced threat protection and improved access controls. The 2402 LTSR allows for virtual machine enhancements by allowing support for Azure Trusted Launch, Device Guard on vSphere and Citrix Secure Private Access for enterprise SaaS Apps.
4. Performance optimisations: LTSR 2402 includes various performance enhancements to improve user experience and system efficiency. Autoscale capabilities are also available on the latest LTSR to allow for cost effective workload management (supported platforms include Azure / XenServer / AWS / vSphere / GCP).
Further enhancements to the UX include AV1 Codec Support / Automatic video codec selection / adaptive refresh rate and many more.
5. Cloud integration: Improved integration with cloud services, facilitating hybrid and multi-cloud deployments.
Steps to transition smoothly
Preparing for a transition from 1912 LTSR to 2402 LTSR involves strategic planning and execution. Here’s how to make the process seamless:
1. Evaluate your current setup: Conduct a comprehensive assessment of your current Citrix environment. Identify dependencies, critical applications and any custom configurations to understand the scope of the migration.
2. Develop a detailed upgrade plan: Craft a well-defined upgrade strategy that includes timelines, resource allocation and risk management. Consider starting with a pilot group to identify potential issues before a full-scale deployment. This is a great opportunity to introduce automation for image releases and reduce administrative overhead.
3. Ensure robust backup and documentation: Backup all critical data and configurations. Document your setup to streamline troubleshooting and ensure nothing is overlooked during the migration.
Take this opportunity to build resiliency into the Citrix environment by mapping out and deploying / BCP | DR Scenarios that can be enacted while minimising impact. Often overlooked in enterprise deployments but Citrix has capabilities to manage workloads in multiple locations ensuring users have access to a session host in multiple datacentres.
4. Upgrade necessary infrastructure: Verify that your hardware and network infrastructure meet the requirements for the 2402 LTSR. This might involve upgrading servers, enhancing network capacity, or updating software components.
5. Train your team and prepare users: Equip your IT staff with the knowledge they need to manage the new environment. Provide training resources and support to end-users to help them adapt smoothly to the updated system.
6. Conduct thorough testing: Before full deployment, test the new version extensively in a controlled environment. Validate the performance, compatibility and functionality of critical applications to ensure everything works as expected.
7. Execute the upgrade and monitor: Roll out the upgrade across your organisation. Monitor the environment closely for any issues and ensure that support is readily available to address any post-migration challenges.
Where organisations should be in your transition plans (August 2024)
Given that it’s already August 2024 and the EOL date is just four months away, organisations should be in the final stages of their transition:
1. Migration in progress: Your migration should be well underway, if not nearing completion
2. Final testing: Any remaining testing should be in its final phases
3. User preparation: End-users should be fully informed and prepared for the transition
4. Support readiness: Your support teams should be fully trained and ready for the post-migration phase
5. Contingency planning: Ensure you have robust contingency plans in place for any last-minute issues
Stay Ahead of the Game
Transitioning to Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops 2402 LTSR is not just about keeping up with technology; it’s about enhancing your organisation’s security, performance and future readiness.
If your organisation hasn’t started the transition yet, it’s imperative to accelerate these steps immediately to ensure a seamless and successful upgrade before the EOL deadline. Delaying transitioning could have wider organisational impacts for infrastructure compliance.
Watch out for other critical dates in the world of Microsoft, Citrix and Horizon. Check out our Timeline of Critical Dates in End User Computing to stay informed and ready to respond to significant changes in the industry.
Ready to make the transition? Contact us today for expert assistance and guidance on upgrading to Citrix 2402 LTSR. Our team is here to support you every step of the way, ensuring a smooth and successful upgrade.
Don’t wait—secure your organisation’s future now!
